Enviro News Asia, Geneva — An unprecedented heatwave sweeping across Europe has shattered temperature records, claimed lives, and intensified risks to public health, agriculture, ecosystems, and infrastructure, prompting renewed warnings from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) about the accelerating impacts of climate change.
The extreme heat, which originated over the Iberian Peninsula, spread across Western, Central, and Southern Europe as well as the Balkans in late June 2026, accompanied by localized severe storms, worsening drought conditions, and heightened wildfire risks.
According to WMO, Europe has warmed by approximately 2°C since the continent’s historic 1976 heatwave, making it the fastest-warming continent in the world. The agency said rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events.
John Kennedy, Head of Climate Information at WMO, said the current heatwave is consistent with scientific projections under a changing climate, noting that temperature extremes across Europe have become increasingly severe over recent decades.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 1,300 excess deaths linked to the heatwave had been recorded since June 21, while more than 150 million people across Europe have been affected by extreme temperatures.
Several countries registered historic temperature records during the event. Germany recorded an all-time high of 41.7°C in Coschen on June 28, with 252 weather stations reporting record temperatures. Hungary reached a new June record of 40.7°C near Budapest, while Poland and the Czech Republic also set new national temperature records.
Austria recorded 40.0°C in Vienna, the United Kingdom experienced three consecutive days of record June temperatures, and the Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland all registered unprecedented June or all-time heat records.
France experienced its hottest day on record on June 24, with an average national temperature of 30°C and a peak of 43.8°C in Pulluau. Authorities issued red heat alerts across 58 administrative departments and warned of elevated wildfire risks amid worsening drought conditions. Spain also recorded its hottest June days on record, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several regions.
Health experts warned that prolonged exposure to extreme heat, particularly when overnight temperatures remain unusually high, significantly increases health risks. Vulnerable groups include older adults, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and people with chronic illnesses, although prolonged heat exposure can affect anyone.
The WMO and WHO emphasized that nighttime temperatures are a critical factor because the human body requires cooler conditions to recover from daytime heat. Persistent warm nights, often referred to as “tropical nights,” prevent adequate recovery and substantially increase health risks, particularly in urban areas where the heat island effect further raises temperatures.
The heatwave also reinforced concerns over the rapid development of El Niño. During London Climate Week, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the climate phenomenon could further intensify global weather disruptions, threatening food and water security while disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
In response, WMO and its partners continue expanding early warning systems, heat-health action plans, and public awareness campaigns through the Early Warnings for All initiative. Together with WHO, the organization is strengthening heat-health forecasting, governance, and preparedness measures to help governments and communities reduce the growing impacts of extreme heat.
Climate experts warned that without stronger adaptation efforts and continued emissions reductions, extreme heat events like those currently affecting Europe are expected to become increasingly frequent and severe in the coming decades. (*)
